I had a thought to take a trip on our new Metro Tunnel rail line on Sunday afternoon, but in the morning I wanted to shop at Big W in South Yarra as I had foolishly lost a cap on Saturday. The 58 tram was in trouble, with a city car accident blocking its path. On the appropriate app, it was showing a tram due in 8 minutes, a second 8 minutes and a third in 9 minutes. In ten minutes when nothing had changed, I changed my plan and headed for Anzac Station, to catch the second train to ever run from there with passengers to the city as our new train line opened.
The train was crowded, but not unbearably so. The train arrived on time, yet it took forever to unload and load passengers on, many in baby pushers and plenty of wheelchairs. It was even worse at Town Hall.
I left the train at State Library and because of the crowding, I couldn't immediately find the lifts, so I used the escalator from the platform to the concourse. As I was almost at the top, the escalator stopped, I think because it was overloaded. I walked the last few steps, and then took the longest escalator in Melbourne from the concourse to street level, I didn't know this and while it was not overloaded, it too stopped soon after I stepped on. I should have gone back down, but because of the people behind me, I walked up. This was getting hard. I paused and someone asked me if I was ok. I replied yes, I just needed a rest. By the time I reached the top, I was absolutely buggered. I leant against the wall for a bit and overheard staff discussing whether it should be called in as a serious fault or just restarted, for the third time. The latter was decided.
After I recovered I went on to Big W at QV and then uneventfully caught a crowded train back home, again the station being so crowded, I couldn't find lifts.
While I think Sydney's new Metro Stations are more attractive and have better wayfinding, I think our new Metro system and stations will function well, decades into the future. I was quite impressed with how well it all worked in spite of being opening day and overcrowded by the excited and curious, and it really was a very exciting day. This new train line, connecting two conventional train lines will change Melbourne travel patterns substantially.
Photos of the crowded train stations would be boring, and it would have bored me to take them, so just text in this post.
.jpg)
.jpg)
It doesn't seem like you were able to replace your cap. :( Nonetheless, I'm so glad you made it home safe and that someone cared to ask about your wellbeing. Best wishes, my dear.
ReplyDeleteI did. I bought two caps.
DeleteAwesome!
DeleteI am on the Pakenham line so that will be our new line next year. I am busy this week but will go into the city and check it out next week. It will be great to have the Anzac station as I go to St Kilda Road a fair bit.
ReplyDeleteDeb, once you reach Malvern, it will be a very quick trip.
DeleteI am happy you are safe. Thankfully there are caring people.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice Linda.
DeleteI would have been completely challenged. Reading yours left me just about panting for breath. Glad you made it home.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, even with appropriate heart medication, I wonder about the strain on my heart.
DeleteWhile you were resting I wondered if the staff were discussing your condition. Shall we call for maintenance! Or just restart him? Nah,he's fine, just a push to get him going again, then.
ReplyDeleteVery funny, Boud. I will avoid the escalators in the future and use lifts.
DeleteThey perhaps should have a first aid station at the top of that escalator.
ReplyDeleteIf it was regular Kirk, I think they should have a strong man to pick me up and carry me up.
DeleteSounds like everyone wanted to ride the new rail line. Glad you survived the escalator stopping.
ReplyDeletePixie, I had already walked quite a distance before the escalator stoppage.
DeleteI think you were "absolutely buggered" because you so rarely climb stairs, with all the lifts and escalators everywhere. Maybe you should add a few stairs into your daily walk to help. It's good to know the new system is working well.
ReplyDeleteI used to River, but I don't really feel safe using stairs. One foot misplaced...
DeleteFair enough.
DeleteOh dear, Andrew! You did it all wrong. You should have made a great noisy fuss about the escalator...has our dear leader taught you nothing at all?
ReplyDeleteDebby, maybe I should have just stood on the escalator until it restarted. I am not sure if they would restart if someone was standing on it.
DeleteYes it takes time get to get passengers on and off trains. But I am so grateful that pushers and wheelchairs are serviced as well as other train customers are looked after.
ReplyDeleteWhen I broke my leg last year, I could either use a walker or stay at home.
Hels, rather hard with a broken leg and using a walker to use public trams and buses.
DeleteI feel for you going up the steps, it's not easy as one ages (sorry Andrew) but it's a fact of life. You made it though.
ReplyDeleteI did make it Margaret. I am not a fit person.
DeleteTrain services sound very like ours, I find the huge step down to the platform from the train a scary time. It seems that there is more thought for people in wheelchairs and also in prams in Australia. Seeing young mums carrying buggies up steps in the train station, often helped by others, reminds us that our rail service needs a real 'vamp up'.
ReplyDeleteThelma, I asked my London friend about the step ups and steps down in London, and she said some of it was because the Overground and the Tube trains are different.
DeleteCrowds make it a challenge.
ReplyDeleteTP, I was there the next day and it was much quieter and easier to work out directions.
DeleteWell, you got your exercise, that's for sure. You'll be right, about changing the future of Melbourne travel.
ReplyDelete